• About FCPS
• Contact Us
• A-Z Index

• HOME
• PARENTS
• STUDENTS
• COMMUNITY
• EMPLOYEES
• SCHOOLS & CENTERS
• ACADEMICS & PROGRAMS
• SCHOOL BOARD
• ADMINISTRATION

Elementary Language Arts

• About Elementary Language Arts
• Resources
• Program of Studies
• Year at A Glance
• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• 6th Grade

About Elementary Language Arts

In the primary grades, students learn to read and write using phonics, language structure, and meaning.

In the upper elementary grades, students learn to use reading to acquire new information, expand information writing, and begin the study of grammar.

At each grade level, students read, write, and discuss their reading and writing with their teacher and peers. They have the opportunity to write frequently and learn to edit using correct punctuation and spelling.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten Language Arts Program of Studies includes objectives that support students' growth in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, guided practice, and literacy stations. Teachers implement beginning reading and writing instruction with oral language permeating the day. They plan a balanced literacy program that builds upon oral language and includes phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, reading, and writing.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

• No SOL tests for kindergarten students.
• Virginia Department of Education Standards

In kindergarten Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

1st Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students' development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences, which build upon oral language and include phonemic awareness and phonics. Both fiction and nonfiction materials are used.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

• No SOL tests for 1st graders.
• Virginia Department of Education Standards
  

In first grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

2nd Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences that build upon oral language and include phonemic awareness, phonics, and use of fiction and nonfiction for reading practice.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

• No SOL tests for 2nd graders.
• Virginia Department of Education Standards

In second grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

3rd Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences which build upon oral language and include phonemic awareness, phonics, and the use of fiction and nonfiction materials for reading practice.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

The Standards of Learning are an important part of Virginia’s efforts to provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. At the end of the third grade, students are participate in SOL testing for the first time, allowing them the opportunity to show the array of knowledge and skills they have developed over their school careers.

• Test Blueprints for Grade 3 Language Arts
• Virginia Department of Education Standards
  

In third grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

4th Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences, which build upon oral language and include fiction, informational text, and use of language arts skills in other content areas.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).

• Test Blueprints for Grade 4 Language Arts
  
• Virginia Department of Education Standards
  

In fourth grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

5th Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences which build upon oral language and include fiction, informational text, and use of language arts skills in other content areas.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).

At the end of fifth grade, students in Fairfax County and throughout Virginia participate in SOL testing.

• Blueprint for the 5th grade reading/literature test
  
• Blueprint for the 5th grade writing test
• Virginia Department of Education Standards
  

In fifth grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language

6th Grade

The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences which build upon oral language and include fiction, informational text, and use of language arts skills in other content areas.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).

• Test Blueprints for Grade 6 Language Arts
  • Reading
  • Writing
    
• Virginia Department of Education Standards
  

In sixth grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands :

• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language